This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9 billion project to build the Barclays Center arena and 16 high-rise buildings at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake in 15 towers. New York State still calls it Atlantic Yards. Contact: AtlanticYardsReport[at]hotmail.com

On December 10, a screening (RSVP required) of the first portion of the film will be followed by a panel discussion about the use and abuse of eminent domain in New York, featuring:

Mindy Fullilove, PhD, professor at Columbia University and author of Root Shock

William Stern, former CEO of New York State's Urban Development Corp.

Daniel Goldstein, lead plaintiff, Goldstein v. Empire State Development Corp.

Michael Galinsky, producer, Battle of Brooklyn

Norman Siegel, civil rights attorney

Robert McNamara, attorney, Institute for Justice

It's notable that, in the eminent domain context a longtime liberal like Siegel finds himself in common cause with the libertarians of the Institute for Justice, an organization that infuriates many who consider themselves reasonable supporters of eminent domain.